Local animal shelters overcrowded
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- It's one of the busiest times of the year for animal shelters across the Triangle battling overcrowding as unexpected litters begin to flow through their doors.
"Right now shelters around North Carolina and around the country, with this warmer weather, we have puppies and kittens coming out of our ears," explained Darci VanderSlik, SPCA spokesperson.
VanderSlik calls it "puppy and kitten season." She says animal shelters are pleading with her group to take in more pets to combat the problem of overcrowding, but with the warmer weather the SPCA is moving its animals inside and running out of room as well.
"In order to keep the air conditioning going, to keep ice in the bowls, to keep you know, our pets cool and out of the sun and in the shade, we definitely need support from our community to continue to do that," said VanderSlik.
Kat Roche wants to help.
"There's always new ones," she said while seated on the floor of a room full of adoptable grown cats. "Like, that guy wasn't here last week and I really like that one!"
Roche has been looking to adopt for more than a year and feels the sting of a household pet unwanted and turned back over to a shelter.
"That's just selfish cause like they didn't think when they were getting a pet that they should be able to take care of it forever," she said.
If there ever was a good time to adopt this is it; especially as the shelters expect an influx come Fourth of July. VanderSlik says it's prime time for runaway pets.
"They don't know that this is a holiday so when they hear those thunderous booms they're gonna - they're gonna do whatever they can to get away from it," said VanderSlik about the impact of fireworks.
On Friday the 4th, VanderSlik suggests bringing your pet inside before dusk, before the celebration begins. Pets that are typically outdoors should come inside as well. The SPCA of Wake County offers $5 personalized tags; staff say making sure your pet is properly identified could save their life.
The SPCA of Wake County runs solely off of private donations, so even if you're not able to adopt, donating can help make a difference.
